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skyward-floored · 2 months

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Link trots down one of the many hallways of the castle, glad he’s finally free from standing around listening to grownups talk. Some of the talking had been interesting, but most of it had been extremely boring, and there was a whole castle that needed poking around in.

Link came here practically every day with Sir Ulysses, sticking by his side and helping him with errands and small jobs, or whatever else he was doing. But he rarely got to poke around by himself, and he was more then glad to find a spot to take a break from all the boring talking.

Link peeks into a spacious, sunny hallway, face brightening as he realizes it’s completely empty. He looks around once more, just to be sure, then makes a beeline for the carpet that sits under one of the large windows, flopping in the beam of sunlight that’s warming it and smiling as the rays fall on his face.

The autumn sunshine was still plenty warm and bright, though Link knew that soon enough the fainter beams that signaled winter would be here, awful as they were. Not nearly warm enough and chilly temperatures everywhere— he wasn’t looking forward to it.

But for now, the warmth from the autumn light is plenty enough for Link, and he sighs contentedly.

None of the other kids he knew really understood why he liked lying on the floor in the sunshine so much, and Link didn’t know how to explain it. He just... felt better if he let the sun warm him for a while. The warmth and light made him happy, and lying on the floor was the best way to soak it in. Especially in spots like this, where the carpet was plush, and the sun shone brightly through the window.

...Technically he was pretty sure he wasn’t supposed to be up here, but he couldn’t resist. Especially since he hadn’t had time to sunbathe for nearly a week now. He could practically feel himself cheering up with every second he spent here.

Link closes his eyes, sun falling across his face, and he smiles as he stretches out with a soft hum.

“Careful you don’t get stepped on, boy.”

Link jumps, nearly hitting his chin on the floor as he shoots into a sitting position at the somewhat amused voice.

He looks up and comes face-to-face with white hair and tanned skin, red ink tattooed across an eye, and Link feels his stomach drop out as he realizes Impa, Princess Zelda’s bodyguard and one of the Sheikah who might get chosen to be leader of her whole tribe, had just caught him sprawling on the floor in a hallway he wasn’t supposed to be in.

Link swallows thickly. He hadn’t heard her coming at all, even though he’d been purposefully listening for any footsteps. Sheikah really were quiet.

“Did you hear me boy? I nearly stepped on you, you need to mind your surroundings,” she says, and Link swallows again, and gives her a tiny nod.

Impa studies him for a second, expression unreadable, and Link thinks his heart just might beat out of his chest.

“What is your name?”

“L-Link, ma’am,” he manages to peep out, and Impa looks at him a moment, her red eyes piercing.

They look surprisingly warm in the sunlight too, but Link is too terrified to notice, mind whirling with all of the punishments she might bring down on him. What was the penalty for sitting in a hallway you weren’t supposed to be sitting in, and almost getting stepped on by the princess’ bodyguard? The stocks? Whipping? The dungeons? Would he be kicked out of Hyrule all together, forced to wander the edges of the kingdom all by himself for forever?!

“Relax, Link, you’re not in trouble.”

The words startle him from his thoughts, and he looks up at Impa again, her arms crossed, but tone light.

“This hallway is quiet now, but it won’t always be. It’s quite likely you’ll be trod on if you remain here. If you want to sunbathe in it I won’t stop you, but perhaps a more out of the way spot would be wise,” she says, glancing out the window. “I’d suggest the library. Try the corner near the southern side.”

Link blinks, still unsure she isn’t going to drag him away and toss him in the dungeons, but Impa strides away before he can formulate a response.

The moment she’s gone, Link scrambles out of the sunbeam and away from the hallway, his heart still pounding in his chest. He’d never been so near to the Princess’s bodyguard before, only seen her from a distance once or twice, and she was twice as scary up close.

Not to mention the red of her eyes, and the piercing, stern look on her face...

Link shivers and decides to forget having any sunbeam time at all for the day, and go back to Sir Ulysses early. He’d take boring talking over being stared at like that any day.

His path takes him past the library, and he pauses, Impa’s words coming back to him. He wasn’t actually supposed to go back to Sir Ulysses just yet, not for another hour or two, and Impa had suggested he go in. And if someone so high-ranking had told him it was okay, then it must be okay, right?

Link cautiously pokes a head in, and when nobody yells at him to go away, walks slowly inside.

He’d only been in here a handful of times, usually only if he’d been sent on an errand. It had always seemed too stuffy for his tastes, but Link decides to listen to Impa’s suggestion, and walks over to where she said there would be a good spot.

He’s definitely never been in this section before, and it doesn’t look like it’s used much either, the shelves dusty and quiet. Nobody much is in here this time of day, especially not in this corner, and Link nearly has the whole library to himself, the shelves quiet and calm.

Turning a corner, Link blinks in the sudden bright sunshine that spills into the room, illuminating the small particles of dust in the air. He zeroes in on the window where the light is shining in from, and perks up, immediately running over to it.

There’s a seat built into the window itself, soft and plush-looking, and Link jumps up onto it, grinning in delight at the sunshine pouring over him. He pokes at the seat a moment, feeling how soft it is, and looks out at the view below, the training yard where he was supposed to meet Sir Ulysses later just barely visible.

Then he flops down, a warm feeling spreading all over him.

This was way better then any hallway carpet— twice as soft, and in a secluded spot as well where he wouldn’t be bothered or stepped on or laughed at, it was perfect.

He wondered how Impa had known this would be the perfect spot. Did she like to soak up the sun’s rays as well? Or maybe she knew someone else who did?

Oh well. It didn’t matter.

Link smiles to himself and closes his eyes, feeling the warmth from the sun begin to sink into his skin, and lets out a happy sigh.

This spot really was perfect.

#wasn’t sure if it needed a readmore but I gave it one anyway just in case #hdw au #hyrule warriors #legend of zelda #loz Impa #legend of zelda fanfiction #writing from the floor #waffling between making Link actually live IN the castle or right outside it #I’m not sure which makes more sense #input is nice if anyone cares lol

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skyward-floored · 1 month

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(More hdw au, several months after this memory)

Gentle humming drifts through the air as Queen Adeline rocks her baby, little Zelda’s eyes finally slipping closed in slumber. Adeline looks down at her arms to be sure her daughter is asleep, and as she finishes her lullaby, she makes her way across the room, careful to step lightly.

“Goodnight my sweet Zelda,” Queen Adeline whispers, giving her tiny daughter a kiss as she places her in her bed. “Dream pleasant dreams.”

Zelda doesn’t react, other than with a quiet snuffling noise, and Adeline gives her one more smile before leaving her be.

She stifles a yawn as she then dresses for bed, slipping her shoes off with a relieved sigh. An ache is present in her toes, and Adeline winces at the state of her feet as she finally sits down.

Her husband is away checking the state of a new training outpost, so she’s been running around twice as much as normal. Adeline would have gone along with him, but Zelda was too small to travel, and things needed to be kept up with here.

Though the extra amount of work she’s had to deal with along with a baby has been taxing, even without the added stress of traveling, and she is, admittedly, worn out.

It used to be I could handle a week of days like this without batting an eye, she thinks as she lays back on her bed with a sigh. And look at me now. Nothing but an exhausted mother with achy feet.

Zelda lets out a soft coo in her sleep, and Adeline can’t help her smile.

I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

A quiet rapping at her door makes her ears prick, and Adeline sits up, then reluctantly stands when the knocking repeats a few moments later. Seems she won’t get to rest just yet.

“Just a moment please,” she calls, putting on a comfortable pair of slippers and a robe, and then heads to the door.

She opens it, and is met with the familiar sight of one of her closest friends, Impa’s red eyes bright in the dim lighting of the hallway.

Adeline smiles. She hasn’t seen Impa all that much since she got back from her most recent assignment, even though Impa was recently appointed her daughter’s bodyguard. But her smile slips as she realizes Impa looks terrible, dark circles under her eyes, hair slipping out of its usual neat bun. She seems like she’s barely standing, and Adeline puts a hand on her arm in worry.

“Impa? What brings you here so late?” Adeline asks. “Not that I’m not glad to see you, but... are you alright?”

“I’m so sorry to disturb you your highness. But I need... I need to speak with you,” Impa says in a small voice, unusually small for her.

Adeline’s worry deepens, but she nods at her, and quickly gestures Impa in. She leads her to the small couch in her quarters, and Impa sits, her arms crossed over her middle and face oddly nervous.

The queen sits next to her, giving her room, but close enough to offer support if it’s wanted. She’s had an exhausting day, but her friend is far more important than getting a proper night’s sleep. Especially if she’s resorting to visiting her so late in the day, looking so terrible. It must be important.

“So what is it you need, Impa?” Adeline asks lightly, leaning back on her seat. “Is something wrong?”

Impa continues to stare at the floor, her face curiously blank as her arms tighten around her middle. When she still doesn’t say anything, Adeline hesitantly puts a hand on Impa’s shoulder, and she flinches, finally looking over and meeting her eyes.

Adeline is shocked to see tears in them.

“Impa..?” she asks softly, urgently.

Maybe it’s her quiet voice, maybe it’s her hand on her shoulder, or maybe it’s even the fact that Impa is actually very close to her breaking point, but all of a sudden her tears spill over and Impa is crying.

Adeline stares in further shock at the tears streaming down Impa’s face before quickly tugging her into a hug, her friend’s breath hitching with quiet sobs.

“Impa, whatever is the matter?” she asks as Impa cries into her shoulder, worry thick in her voice. She’s never seen Impa like this, her strong, stoic friend heaving soft sobs into her arms. Not even when they were children did Impa cry like this— something must be terribly wrong.

Impa sniffles.

“I think—” she says, letting out a hiccup. “I think I made a mistake.”

Adeline meets her eyes, Impa shakily wiping some tears away, and gives her shoulder a squeeze.

“Tell me what happened,” she says gently, and Impa nods, breathing out.

Adeline rings for some tea before they start, needing something to keep herself awake, and knowing Impa will appreciate it. She knows her friend’s favorite brew, and Impa does look calmer once she has the warm beverage in her hands, her tears stopped for the moment.

Impa sighs.

“During— during the assignment,” she finally begins, looking down at her tea and not at Adeline. “With the diplomatic party to the Eldin caves. You know we met with the Gorons, but they aren’t the only ones who live in that area.”

“Yes... I recall mentions of a dragon before. I believe he was to be included in the negotiations,” Adeline replies with a gentle nod. “All of the reports said everything went very well... were they incorrect?”

“No, they were correct,” Impa says, taking a long sip of tea. “The ambassador did his job well. The negotiations went exceptionally, with both parties.”

She sniffles again.

“Other matters just... didn’t.”

Adeline offers her a handkerchief, but Impa shakes her head, her tears stopped for now.

“What happened, Impa?” Adeline asks gently, aware there’s something her friend isn’t saying. Impa sighs, and tightly closes her eyes, holding her tea cup so tightly Adeline wonders if it will break.

“...I fell in love,” she whispers finally. “With the dragon knight Volga.”

The words are like a cold splash of water, Adeline blinking in shock, but as Impa squeezes her eyes shut, Adeline shakes off her disbelief and gently pats her shoulder.

“Oh Impa,” she says softly.

Impa breathes shakily in through her nose.

“I thought him insufferable at first, prideful and so full of himself. To my dismay we kept ending up together, during meetings and dinners and spars and everything, it seemed like he was always around with a smirk on his lips and some ignorant comment. It wasn’t until there was a monster attack and we fought together that somehow I realized there was more to him, and we just... we grew closer. We didn’t trust each other a bit at first, but somehow things changed, and we... suddenly we were in love,” Impa whispers, clutching her teacup.

“I did wonder why you barely wrote to me,” Adeline says, putting her hand over Impa’s. “I assumed you were too busy... which I suppose was correct, in a way.”

Impa almost smiles, then breaths in slowly.

“Yes. I apologize for not doing so. Between Volga and my duties, I had little free time,” she says, setting her tea cup down. “But back to what happened. I... it turns out dragon courting customs are different then both Hylian and Sheikah. I gifted Volga a particularly interesting crystal I discovered one day after we sparred, but it turns out the way I presented it, and what happened beforehand... it is the first step of how dragons propose to one another.“

Adeline can’t help her gasp.

“You proposed unknowingly?”

“Yes. Volga reciprocated, but I did not realize what had happened at first... but once we both figured out what had happened, I... I went along with it. And we were married. Or, mates, as he put it.”

Adeline mulls the tale over for a moment, almost unable to believe it despite hearing it from Impa herself. Impa is many things, but impulsive is not one of them, and going along with a marriage she did not intend is... very unlike her.

Which can only mean...

“...You truly love him, don’t you?” Adeline asks softly, and Impa closes her eyes.

“I... I did. I do. Let me finish,” she whispers. “We kept everything a secret, so as not to cause problems with the negotiations. I... also do not know what others’ reactions would be, especially the other Sheikah. Volga keeps company with monsters, even if he is not one himself. So we kept it all hidden. And everything was going so well despite all of the secrecy, and we were happy, the both of us, but... but then it was time for the ambassador to leave. And me with him.”

Impa’s voice shakes a little. “Volga thought I would stay with him, help him guard over the caves. I told him I couldn’t, not with my duty to Hyrule and the royal family, and my tribe as well. I wanted us to continue our relationship from a distance, but somehow it all just... went wrong. We fought, badly, and I...”

Impa wipes a hand over her eyes. “I left. I was out of time. I tried to talk to Volga once more before leaving, but he refused to speak to me. And now...”

Impa’s voice breaks, and Adeline puts her hand on her shoulder.

“I’m expecting,” she chokes out, and begins to cry in earnest again. “I’m expecting, Addy, and I don’t know what to do.”

Adeline pulls Impa back into a hug again, and her friend sobs, hurt and fear and anger and grief all spilling out with her cries.

“Oh Impa, you’ve been dealing with all of this alone?” Adeline breathes, holding her tight. “You’ve been back for weeks, I can’t imagine...”

No wonder she hasn’t been the same since she returned.

Adeline holds Impa tighter, and does nothing but rub a soothing hand along her back for several minutes, Impa trying to get a hold of herself and failing quite miserably.

“It’ll be alright. We’ll figure this out, I promise,” Adeline says gently, and Impa wipes a hand over her eyes. “Do you know how far along you are?”

“Somewhere around two months,” Impa whispers. “I began to suspect shortly after returning, but the signs are unmistakable now. I confirmed it earlier.”

She sniffles and wipes another hand over her eyes, and Adeline pulls back a little.

“We’ll figure this out,” she repeats gently, taking Impa’s hands in hers. “Things will be okay, Impa. For you and your baby.”

“But this child shouldn’t even exist!” Impa cries, her eyes even more red then normal. “They will be half dragon, Adeline, and we may have an agreement that Volga is technically a part of now, but he is still not trusted! A relationship with him is unthinkable among the Sheikah, they might not even accept our marriage as legitimate! How will my tribe react at the news that I carry his child?” she chokes out.

“Impa, all will be well,” Adeline says gently.

“I will not be able to fulfill my duties to you and the princess if I have my own child to care for!” Impa says thickly. “And my tribe may very well kick me out once they learn what I’ve done. How will all be well, your majesty? Answer me that.”

“Because I will help you,” she assures, voice firm with conviction. “You are not alone, Impa. I am on your side.”

She squeezes Impa’s hands.

“I’ll help you think of a plan. A great many things can be blamed on a sleep-deprived queen who recently had a baby,” she says with a wink. “If we work together, we can keep things quiet, and nobody will ever need to know who the father is. You’ll both be safe.”

“I can’t ask that of you your majesty,” Impa whispers, and Adeline sighs, looking at her tea which is now lukewarm at best.

Zelda shifts a little in her crib across the room, but she doesn’t wake, and silence falls over the room.

“...Do you remember when we were younger, and we pretended we were sisters?” Adeline asks after a minute. Impa nods, a minuscule smile forming on her tearstained face.

“Yes. You insisted we should be twins, despite you being three years older and us both looking nothing alike.”

“Oh, we looked plenty alike, hush,” Adeline huffs, and Impa’s smile grows just a little. “...my point is that we looked out for each other then, before either of us had any sort of importance beyond titles that were meaningless to us both. That hasn’t changed. I want to help you, Impa.”

Impa looks at her, gratitude shining in her eyes, but her gaze is still dim with grief.

“You’re certain?” she asks quietly.

Adeline nods again. “I’m certain. You’re my friend, Impa, I won’t leave you to figure this out by yourself. Plus you’ve saved my life at least twice, this is the least I can do.”

“You know I don’t require repayment for that,” she murmurs.

“No, but I still want to help you,” Adeline replies decisively, and tugs Impa into a hug again. “We can get to work on a plan as soon as you’re ready. I’m behind you all the way.”

Impa exhales, lowering her gaze, and Adeline can’t help but notice when her arm returns to resting around her middle.

The silence falls back between them, drained and quiet, and Adeline rests her head back on the couch they’re on, the tiredness she’d forgotten about now returning. She doesn’t want to deny Impa the comfort of having someone sit with her though, not after so long with dealing with this alone, and so she remains where she is, Impa’s head resting on her shoulder.

“...I’m scared,” Impa suddenly whispers, in a voice so quiet that Adeline barely hears it.

Adeline swallows, and gently sets her head against hers. “All I can tell you is that I was too,” she replies softly. “And that I’m here to help. You’re not alone, Impa.”

Impa lets out a sigh, heavy with exhaustion and grief, and Adeline knows there’s nothing more she can say.

All she can do is continue to hold her friend, and support her as best as she can.

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